It is not particularly common to pay for a quotation for building and maintenance services and home renovations. However, there are some instances where it may be required.

Home improvement, when you don’t do-it-yourself, will be conducted by a handyman or a qualified tradesman. Most smaller businesses or independent tradesmen will offer you a free and no obligation quote for such work. This is actually quite standard in home maintenance services.

In some cases, companies may ask for a small fee for written quotes. This may be due a number of reasons. The most common being if your site is particularly large, it takes some time to assess the requirements and deliver the quote. However, usually this fee can be deducted from the cost of the work, should you accept the quote.

Accepting a quote over the phone is sometimes possible, but is not recommended. Building and maintenance services, and particularly home renovations, can often have very unique requirements. It is advisable to get a fully itemised written quote, rather than an estimate over the phone, even if it does cost you a small fee. This will allow you to more accurately judge if the work required is within your budget.

If you wish to avoid a quotation altogether, there is also the option of getting on-going maintenance that you pay a yearly rate for. You should read the terms and conditions of these services carefully to make sure they are suitable for your needs.